Statement by the Press Secretary on Additional Federal Disaster Assistance for Texas

The President today made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Texas impacted by Hurricane Ike beginning on September 7, 2008, and continuing, by authorizing an extension of 100 percent Federal funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.

Under the President's major disaster declaration issued for the State of Texas on September 13, 2008, and in a subsequent amendment, Federal funding was made available to State and local governments in the counties of Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller, and Washington Counties for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program.

For a period of up to 72 hours, assistance for debris removal (Category A), including direct Federal assistance, was authorized at 100 percent of the total eligible costs.

Under the President's amended order today, the Federal share for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program, has been increased to 100 percent Federal funding of the total eligible costs for a 14-day period retroactive to the date of the major disaster declaration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.